Missy was Missy when we rescued her, and we called her MissyChief. Sometimes we call Missy, sometimes Chief or MissyChief - really she'll answer to any now. I think Magpye's reply was spot on, in that mine too recognises any name, for it means there's a treat at the end of it

If I didn't know better I'd have thought you were married to my OH that was his exact phrase too 'a proper dog'. Labs and Goldies are two of his favourite breeds as well (even though we now have border collies)

I'm not sure if it's changed, but I believe the Balerno shelter mostly has cruelty cases (i.e. they don't take unwanted dogs in for rehoming) so you may not find a dog that will suite your personal situation there, but certainly worth going up to speak to them. If you do and you get the chance, would you please say hello from Hoki (white border collie) and Stumpy (Isla - tail-less border collie) and say that they are both doing great and that Hoki is now down to 19kg...I keep meaning to pop in to see them again, but haven't for a good few months.

I don't really know anything about the EDCH, but I would say don't dismiss a dog just because you don't know his/her history...equally, don't always believe every history that you have been given, sometimes owners are not always truthful. My first rescue, Kip, was a stray with no history - he was the most perfect, well behaved dog you could ever wish for.

You should get to spend plenty of time with any dog that you are interested in and the shelter will insist that ALL the family meet the dog before making a decision.

In the meantime, I'll keep an eye out at the rescue where I help out...though it would be a bit of a treck for you. A fair few labs have come through, but none in at the moment.

Good luck, I'm so excited for you

No worries with changing names. we called our dog Meg as she was a red kelpie/border collie x and was mostly the colour of nutmeg so'Meg' it was...at least for the first few months before the nicknames started!!! In her 14 years with us she was 'Meg', 'Meggie', 'Meggie Moomoo', 'Mooey' and finally 'Moo'...unless she was in trouble and then she was 'Mary Margaret'!!! I think dogs react more to the tone and emotion than the actual name as 'Moo' never had any trouble adapting to her irritating owners but then she was the smartest, prettiest and specialist dog in all the world!!!

Me again

was going to pm you but you havne't posted enough to activate pms yet. Was just thinking that as you may well want a labrador, it would be worth contacting the breed specific labrador rescues.

I've looked up the one in Scotland and found the following details

Labrador Rescue - Scotland
Miss V. Salmon, Cupar, Fife. Tel: 01337 858363

the site I got it from can be a wee bit out of date, but hopefully if she is not still involved, this lady can put you in touch with someone who is.

I changed Roccos name as soon as we got him...he was called orvielle!! No-way was he keeping that name! I just started calling him rocco from the moment we picked him up at 9months.

x

Agree with everyone else. When Max came to us we wanted to change his name, it wasn't the weirdest name in the world but it wasn't something we would have picked. Plus which, we wanted a fresh start for him.

He didn't particularly respond to his previous name and we just started calling him Max. He was nearly 2 at the time and responded to his new name in no time.

Good luck with your search, keep us posted!x

I always change the name of my rescue dogs, it makes me feel they are now part of the family and it stops any negative associations with the original name.

We have never had a problem with this, I just use the new name every time I talk to the dog and reward them when they react to it. The most it has ever taken them to respond to the new name is 2-3 days.

Dogs tend to listen to the tone of voice and watch body language anyway as well as respond to the actual words. All our dogs have nicknames and they respond to them as well, for example Wisp knows when she gets called Whisper she is either in trouble or really has to obey a command!!

My mothers dog was originally called Caramel but we found it too long and she didn't listen to it at all, so i changed it to a rather snappy and attention grabbing poppy!! She definitely picked it up better than her original name!

Thank you so much all of your replies this really helps!

Haven't got a dog whose name I've changed at the moment, but all mine have "Sunday"names & several other names for them at times.

My Wukee comes to Wukee, Dukee, Wu, Mr Wu plus several I can't put on here

Roodee is Roo, Roodee Toodee, Oodles of Roodles !!

My Jessie is Messie Jessie, Knickerlessie Jessie & Jesseeka

Joedee is JD, Mr J, Beastie Boy

Loukar is Lou, Loulou Loukie Pookie, Fat man , Beastie Boy 2

& Roy is Rjj, Mr Poo(don't ask)Puppy dog(he's 4 !!!)

Even the cats have at least two names Reg & Jaq & also Jaqleanie, Mr Reginald, Chicken chops(lol they both come to that one !!)Molekitten, Reginaldo !!